USA > Indiana > Montgomery County > History of Montgomery county, Indiana; with personal sketches of representative citizens, Volume II > Part 46
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52
Mr. Foley was born in the county of which this history treats on Sep- tember 14, 1873. He is a son of John and Bridget (Coleman) Foley, both natives of Ireland, the date of the father's birth being 1830, and that of the mother in 1850. The former passed away on July 4, 1912, and the latter preceded him to the grave on February 14, 1897. These parents came to America when children, and here they spent the rest of their lives. They came to Crawfordsville, arriving here on Thanksgiving day, 1872, and here established the permanent home of the family. John Foley devoted his life to farming. Politically, he was a Democrat, but he was not very active in public affairs, preferring to devote his attention exclusively to his large farming interests. He became the owner of four hundred acres of valuable
1210
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, INDIANA.
and well improved land near Wingate, Montgomery county. His family consisted of seven children, five of whom are still living, namely: John is deceased; M. E., of this sketch; James, William, Andrew, Charles, and Frank D., the latter being deceased.
M. E. Foley grew to manhood in his native county and here received a common school education, later entering Wabash College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1899. Prior to that he taught school for a time in Coal Creek township. In October, 1900, he entered Columbia University, New York City, where he made an excellent record in the law department. Returning to Crawfordsville he began practicing his profession with Judge Thomas, remaining here ten years, enjoying a growing and lucrative prac- tice, and taking a position in the front rank of the Montgomery county bar. In October, 1909, he accepted an offer to become one of the attorneys of the Indianapolis Traction and Terminal Company and the Terre Haute, Indian- apolis and Eastern Traction Company. He removed to the capital city and here he has since resided, giving eminent satisfaction in every respect in this responsible and exacting position. He has remained a profound student of the law and is well versed in all its phases, having kept fully abreast of the times in every respect. He is an accurate, painstaking and indefatigable worker.
Mr. Foley was married on December 25, 1902, to May Cunningham, who was born in Crawfordsville, on December 20, 1883. She is a daughter of C. W. and Mary (McMannus) Cunningham, the father a native of Ire- land and the mother of Ohio. Mrs. Foley is a lady of culture. She was graduated from St. Mary's-of-the-Woods, near Terre Haute, Indiana, in 1901.
To our subject and wife one child has been born, Helen, whose birth occurred on December 6, 1903 : she is now in school.
Fraternally, Mr. Foley is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias, the Improved Order of Red Men, the Tribe of Ben-Hur and the Modern Woodmen, all of Crawfordsville; he also belongs to the Phi Delta Theta, a college fraternity. He is a member of the Catholic church in Indianapolis. Politically, he is a Democrat, and has been more or less active in the ranks. He was elected a member of the State Central Committee in 1906 and again in 1908. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Indiana State Prison. He and his wife are members of the Maennerchor Society. Mrs. Foley is also a member of St. Mary's-of-the-Wood Club.
MR. AND MRS. S. W. FRALEY
1211
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, INDIANA.
SAMUEL WESLEY FRALEY.
The student interested in the history of Montgomery county does not have to carry his investigations far into its annals before learning that Samuel Wesley Fraley has long been an active and leading representative of its great agricultural interests and that his labors have proved a potent force in making this a rich farming region. Through several decades he has carried on diversified farming and stock raising, gradually improving his valuable land, and while he has prospered in this he has also found ample opportunity to assist in the material development of the county, and his co-operation has been of value for the general good. He is one of the hon- ored veterans of the Union army, who, when the tocsin of war sounded in the nation's greatest crisis, uncomplainingly went forth to defend, with his life, if need be, the honor of the old flag. His career in every respect has been one of commendation and is well worthy of study and emulation by the young men of the locality whose fortunes are yet matters for future years to determine, for he has sought to live a life of public spirit, industry, up- rightness and one that would be devoid of offense to all.
Mr. Fraley was born near Linden, Montgomery county, on January 7, 1848. He is a son of Charles Washington Fraley and Sarah Ann E. (Ketcham) Fraley. The father was born in the state of. Ohio, where he spent his earlier days, being young when his parents, in 1824, brought him to Indiana, the family locating near West Point, Tippecanoe county. Here the family became very comfortably established, developed a good farm farm on which the parents and Charles W. Fraley spent the rest of their lives, the death of the latter occurring in January, 1861, in Illinois. He had been very successful as a general farmer, was a hard worker and a public-spirited citi- zen, who became well and favorably known throughout that vicinity. Sarah Ann Ketcham was a daughter of ex-Judge Absalom Ketcham, who at one time owned what is now the county poor farm, and a prominent man in the county in his day and generation, a leader in public affairs and successful in business. Sarah Ann Ketcham was born in Kentucky and was a mere child when she accompanied her parents to this section of the Hoosier state. Here she grew to womanhood and received her education.
After the death of her husband, Mrs. Charles W. Fraley removed with her children to Marshall county, Iowa, where she spent the rest of her life, dying there in the year 1863.
Samuel W. Fraley, of this sketch, had little opportunity to obtain an
I212
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, INDIANA.
education, being compelled when a boy to work hard in assisting his mother support the family, but this deficiency was overcome later in life by wide miscellaneous home reading, books, journals and newspapers. After the death of his mother, and while still living in Iowa he entered the service of the Federal army by enlisting on January 18, 1864, in Company H, Thir- teenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, in which he served very faithfully and ac- ceptably until the regiment was mustered out on July 21, 1865, in Louisville, Kentucky. He had participated in many engagements, never showing the white feather in any of them. His regiment was with Sherman in his memorable march to the sea, and was with him all through the Carolinas, the last battle our subject was in being the victory at Bentonville, North Carolina, and afterwards he was in the grand review in Washington City, in May, 1865.
The state of Iowa sent many regiments in to the field during the great war of the Rebellion and without an exception they rendered heroic service and reflected great honor upon the commonwealth and among them all the record of the Thirteenth Iowa Infantry Volunteers stands conspicuous. None rendered more effective or important service. Those of future generations who can trace their lineage to one of these heroic soldiers may justly claim an ancestry that has no superior among those who have achieved military fame and honor in any age or country. Their loyalty and devotion and supreme sacrifices they made will not be forgotten while true patriotism and brave deeds are honored among men.
Total enrollment was one thousand seven hundred and eighty-eight, and less than two hundred returned home. Taken from Iowa roster of her soldiers.
After his career in the army Mr. Fraley lived in Grundy county, Iowa, and followed farming and stock raising until 1872, when he came to Mont- gomery county, Indiana. He continued general farming until 1888, when he purchased his present farm north of Crawfordsville. Here he has im- proved a fine farm and been very successful as a general agriculturist and stock raiser.
In the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic Mr. Fraley has long been very prominent, having served as junior vice commander, senior vice commander and post commander. He served two years as sergeant major and is now in his fourth year as adjutant. He is also a member of the Hickory Grove Anti-Horse Thief Association, having been secretary of the same for the past twenty years. Politically, he is a Republican. He is a
1213
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, INDIANA.
member of the Christian church, holding membership with the congregation at Young's Chapel.
On February 23, 1869, Mr. Fraley was married to Lydia J. Modlin, formerly of Blackford county, Indiana. To this union were born Lillian A. Fraley (West), now of Kenatchee, state of Washington; Frank E., of Aurora, Nebraska, and Bertie E., of Fulton, Illinois. In 1875 Mr. Fraley was divorced from Lydia J., and returned to Indiana, where he has since resided.
Mr. Fraley was married on June 14, 1877, to Mary A. Nicholson, a daughter of Allan T. and Rebecca (Ketcham) Nicholson. The father was a native of Ohio and the mother was born in Kentucky. Allan Nicholson came with his grandparents to Montgomery county, Indiana, in 1811, the family locating in Union township, entering four hundred and eighty acres from the government, in sections 19 and 20, range 4 west, and of this valuable tract our subject has the original land grant. Members of the above named family all lived and died on this land, and here they established an excellent home through their industry, and were highly respected through- out the locality. Mrs. Fraley is directly descended from Revolutionary stock.
Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Fraley, two of whom are now living; these children were named as follows Walter, who died when five months old; Freddie, whose death occurred when ten and one- half months old; Ada L. is in school at Bloomington, Indiana; Roy A.is a well known teacher, and is at this writing principal of the schools at Pales- tine, Illinois; Louis Earl died when twelve years of age.
GEORGE D. HURLEY.
History and biography for the most part reveal the lives of only those who have attained military, political or literary distinction, or who in any other career have passed through extraordinary vicissitudes of fortune. The unostentatious routine of private life, although in the aggregate more im- portant to the welfare of the community, cannot, from its very nature, figure in the public annals. But the names of men who have distinguished them- selves in their day and generation for the possession, in an eminent degree, of those qualities of character which mainly contribute to the success of
1214
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, INDIANA.
private life and to public stability-of men who, without extraordinary talents, have been exemplary in all their personal and social relations, and enjoyed the esteem, confidence and respect of those around them-ought not to be allowed to perish. Few can draw rules for their guidance from the pages of Socrates, but all are benefited by the delineation of those traits of character which find scope and exercise in the common walks of life. Among the individuals of this class of a past generation in Montgomery county was the late George D. Hurley. His record is the account of a life which was, in the main, eventful, as far as stirring incidents or startling adventure is con- cerned, yet was distinguished by the most substantial qualities of character. His life history exhibits a career of unswerving integrity, indefatigable private industry and wholesome home and social relations-a most com- mendable character crowned with success. It is. the record of a well bal- anced mental and moral constitution, strongly marked by those traits of character which are of special value in such a state of society as exists in this country. For a long lapse of years Mr. Hurley was one of the leading attorneys at the bar of Montgomery county, a man who, in the most liberal acceptation of the phrase, was the architect of his own fortunes, and nobly entitled to be termed by that proud American title, a self-made man, worthy of the great success he attained as a lawyer and the high esteem in which he was universally held, and although he has been summoned to close his earthly accounts and take up his labors on a higher plane of endeavor, his memory is deeply revered by a wide circle of friends.
Mr. Hurley was born on December 3, 1833, at New Albany, Indiana. He was a son of John and Hannah Hurley. The father was a shipwright by trade, and he spent his early life in Baltimore, Maryland, from which city he came to New Albany, Indiana, after his marriage in the East; how- ever, he and his wife remained in Baltimore until their eldest child was born. After remaining in New Albany for perhaps a decade, where the elder Hurley found plenty of work to do, that being a great boat building center in those days, they moved to Montgomery county, in the year 1838, and here began life in typical pioneer fashion.
Four children were born to John Hurley and wife, namely: Isabelle, George D,. our subject, Mary, and one other. They are all deceased.
George D. Hurley was five years old when his parents brought him to Montgomery county, and here he grew to manhood and received his primary education, later studied at Wabash College, and finally in a commercial school at Cincinnati, Ohio, and in Lafayette, Indiana, he began life for
1215
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, INDIANA.
himself by clerking in a dry goods store, but not taking kindly to a com- mercial life, he began studying law, this being his true bent. He read under Samuel Wilson at Crawfordsville, and was admitted to the bar in Mont- gomery county when a young man and here he remained in active practice, maintaining an office in Crawfordsville the rest of his life, enjoying a wide and lucrative clientage, in due course of time taking his place in the front rank at the bar and figuring prominently in the important cases in local courts for a number of decades, justly ranking among the leading lawyers of western Indiana. He was a great student and kept up with the progress of his profession in all its phases, being well grounded in the basic principles of jurisprudence as well as the statutes of Indiana, and he was painstaking, persistent and was an excellent pleader. He devoted his life to his law work, ignoring political and other aspirations, although well qualified and often urged to accept public office.
Mr. Hurley was married on October 18, 1855, to Frances R. Galey, who was born on October 8, 1835, in Crawfordsville. She was a daughter of William W. and Lucy ( Wilhite) Galey, one of the pioneer families of Montgomery county. Her father was born on August 21, 1803, in Shelby county, Kentucky, and Lucy Wilhite was born on December 18, 1809, near Louisville, Kentucky, in Oldham county. These parents grew to maturity in the Blue Grass state and were married there, and not long afterwards moved to Crawfordsville. Indiana. William Galey worked on the farm until he was seventeen years old, when he took up tailoring, engaging in that business in Crawfordsville until 1854. enjoying an extensive trade, then returned to farming. His death occurred on March 27. 1871, having outlived his wife many years, she having passed away in September, 1854.
Six children were born to William Galey, and wife, two of whom are living. They were named, William L., deceased: Francis R., who married Mr. Hurley, of this memoir; B. V., born on December 14. 1833, is living in Crawfordsville: Milton H., deceased; Virgil deceased ; Louise is living.
Mrs. Frances R. Hurley grew to womanhood in Crawfordsville and received a common school education here, and her death occurred on August 16, 1907.
Four children were born to George D. Hurley and wife, two of whom are deceased, namely Lucy H., born December 1, 1856, died in September, 1908; John W., born August 1, 1860; Belle, born May 4, 1858, deceased; F. W., born November 10, 1868.
Politically, Mr. Hurley was a Democrat, and while he was loyal in his
I216
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, INDIANA.
support of the party he was not, as before intimated, in any respect a poli- tician. Religiously, he belonged to the Episcopal church.
The death of George D. Hurley occurred on April 29, 1906, at the age of seventy-three years.
M. E. EDWARDS.
The subject of this sketch is a man of worthy prestige among the farmers and stock men of Montgomery county, and it is with satisfaction and pleas- ure that the biographer gives to the public the outline of his industrious and successful life and career. Mr. Edwards has always been a man of honesty in his dealings with his fellows, and his intercourse with the stock men of the state and country, despite the temptations in that vocation, has always been conducted by hard and fast rules of integrity. He has been very successful in a material way, due to his wise and cautious dealings with the market and the public. Mr. Edwards is very generous when a worthy cause is involved, and no one is more willing to contribute for the welfare and prosperity of the county and community in which he lives.
M. E. Edwards was born in Union township, Montgomery county, on June 12, 1866, being the son of Curtis and Jane (Ward) Edwards. Curtis Edwards was born in Butler county, Ohio, in 1822, and the mother was born in Union county, Indiana, in 1826. Mr. Edwards was a stock dealer and farmer, and in 1835 came to Union township, Montgomery county, Indiana. In his early life he was educated in the old log cabin schools, which was the best afforded in those days.
Eight children were born to the union of Curtis Edwards and wife, namely : W. F., living at Holdrege, Nebraska ; Mrs. Louisa Hale, of Whites- ville, this county ; Mrs. Lydia Linn, deceased; Sarah and Martha, both de- ceased ; Mrs. Rella Hobson, deceased; M. E., our subject, and one child who died in infancy. Curtis Edwards was a Republican politically, and was a trustee of Walnut township. He was active in the affairs of the Methodist Episcopal church, and held all offices. He belonged to the Masonic Order at Crawfordsville. Curtis Edward's father, our subject's grandfather, was Charles Edwards, who came to this county in 1835 and settled in the woods, which was inhabited with nothing but Indians and wild animals.
Our subject received his early education in the common schools and then attended business college at Ladoga, Indiana. For a period of two years he attended the Ladoga Normal, and then took up farming and extensive live
M. E. EDWARDS
1217
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, INDIANA.
stock dealing. He buys and sells cattle, hogs and sheep, and ships then principally to Indianapolis, and is one of the largest shippers to that market. His shipments amount to nearly two hundred carloads yearly. Mr. Edwards owns thirty acres of valuable land at Mace, Indiana, where he is living at the present time.
Mr. Edwards was married in 1887 to Ida Cash, the daughter of Warren and Catherine (Duvall) Cash. Both parents came to this county from Ken- tucky in an early day, settling first in Putnam county about the year 1847. They followed farming practically all of their lives. To the union of Mr. Edwards and wife two children have been born, namely: Oliver C. married Beulah Frances Stewart, and lives in Mace; and Gladys, who lives with her parents.
Fraternally, Mr. Edwards belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Tribe Ben-Hur, the Improved Order of Red Men, and the Modern Woodmen of America. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, and has held all offices, including the superintendent of the Sunday school.
SAMUEL H. GREGG.
The late Samuel H. Gregg, for many years engaged in business in Crawfordsville, led a life so consistent with high ideals as to recommend him to the favorable consideration of the people of Montgomery county, where he maintained his residence for many decades, and was regarded as a public benefactor.
Mr. Gregg was born in this county on June 11, 1827, on a farm, being thus a pioneer child, and he grew up amid primitive conditions and was therefore not a stranger to the hard work of developing the home farm. He received the usual education in the common schools. He continued farming until he was twenty-four years old, when he came to Crawfords- ville, becoming one of its early business men. He was a partner in the first hardware store ever established in this city. He was successful in a finan- cial way and soon had a good home here, and he did much for the early development of the city. He was the founder of the Indiana Wire Fence Company, manufacturers of barbed wire fence. He was an active member of the Methodist church. Here he spent the rest of his life, his death oc- curring on May 27, 1900.
In 1847 Samuel H. Gregg married Sarah L. Christman, who was also (77)
1218
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, INDIANA.
a native of Montgomery county, and here her death occurred in 1861. To this union one son was born, Orpheus M. Gregg, who is still living in Craw- fordsville, and of whom a sketch appears on other pages of this volume.
On December 15, 1870, Mr. Gregg was again married, his last wife being Sarah M. Munns, a daughter of George and Anna (Shanklin) Munns. She was born in Union township, this county, May 13, 1840. George Munns was a native of Kentucky, his birth having occurred there on January 1, 1813, and from there he came to Montogmery county, Indiana, when a small child, the family locating here when this county was a vast, unimproved wilderness. When he grew older he assisted in clearing the land, on which the family located and he continued farming in this locality all his life, be- coming very successful with advancing years and was well known, influential and highly respected by all who knew him, and here his death occurred on May 8, 1877.
Anna Shanklin, wife of George Munns, was a daughter of Andrew and Sarah (Crooks) Shanklin, who were also pioneers in this section of the great Wabash Valley country. She was born on October 30, 1815, and she reached the remarkable age of ninety-four years, passing to her eternal rest in 1909. She was a woman of extraordinary attributes, an exceptionally strong and lovable character. She transacted all her own business until the last. George Munns was a very successful farmer and stock raiser. He managed the home place, on which he lived, until his removal to Crawfords- ville, about ten or twelve years before his death.
Three children were born to George Munns and wife, namely: Minnie is the wife of Samuel Austin, cashier of the First National Bank of Craw- fordsville; Sarah, who married Samuel H. Gregg. of this memoir; Anna married A. C. Austin, a successful and well known business man.
George Munns was a Republican in politics, and religiously, belonged to the Baptist church.
The union of Samuel H. Gregg and his second wife was blessed by the birth of one son, George Munns Gregg. He was born May 20, 1875, and his death occurred on November 14, 1896. He was a young man of brilliant intellect and great promise, was liked by all who knew him, esteemed for his genial and gentlemanly personality. He married Jessie Coffman, of Cham- paign, Illinois.
Mrs. Gregg is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal church. She is a lady of many admirable characteristics and has long been popular with a wide circle of friends.
1219
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, INDIANA.
WILLIAM JAMES MILES.
The successful business and public career of William James Miles, re- tired farmer of New Market, Montgomery county, has been largely due to his inborn sturdiness and energy, a legacy from Kentucky ancestry, and the excellent schooling of his boyhood days on the home farm-where none who fear hard toil can ever succeed. He proved himself to be a scientific agri- culturist, keeping abreast of the times in all matters pertaining to his calling, and by judicious cultivation succeeded in obtaining the largest results from the labor expended, and he acquired a comfortable competency, ranking with the well-to-do farmers of this part of the county. Devoting himself assidu- ously to his business interests, he has, however, found time to take part in public affairs, and has filled most acceptably positions of trust and responsi- bility. He is public spirited and ever ready and willing to encourage or aid every good and laudable enterprise. He comes of sturdy and wholesome ancestry, and inherits in a marked degree many of the sterling attributes for which they were noted.
Mr. Miles was born in Brown township, Montgomery county, on April 2, 1848. He is a son of Franklin and Rebecca ( Davis) Miles, both natives of Kentucky, the father's birth occurring on October 7. 1825, and he died in October, 1853, while still a young man ; the mother was born on March 5, 1825, and passed away on May 2, 1855, when also young. Franklin Miles devoted his life to farming. He moved to lowa a few years prior to his death. Five children constituted his family, all now deceased but the sub- ject of this sketch, namely John, born January 4, 1847; William James, of this review: Jefferson M., born November 22, 1849: Scott, born April 7, . 1851 ; Thomas F., born December. 1852, died in 1875.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.